1928 - Alderson High School - 1968

ALDERSON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH POST OFFICE BOX 126 ALDERSON, WEST VIRGINIA 24910 TELEPHONE  (304) 646-2439

FORMER MINISTER RETURNS FROM ROMANIA FOR VISIT In   2005,   the Alderson   Presbyterian   Church   was   looking   for   a   minister   and   could   not   afford   a   full   time   call.     They   advertised   for   an   "intern"   and   the   person   who   answered   the   ad   was   Arpad   Tordai   from   Romania.     He   had   spent   an   earlier   summer   in   West   Virginia   as   an   intern   at   Edgewood   Presbyterian   and   was   familiar with the area.  In   the   interim,   he   had   married   Zsofi   and   they   had   a   son,   Akos,   who   was   2.      Alderson   partnered   with   Old Stone   to   share   expenses   and   Sally   Woodard,   then   minister   at   Edgewood,   donated   a   car   for   them   to   use.     Arpi   managed   to   get   a   one   year   work   visa   and   the   church   he   was   going   to   in   Romania   graciously   gave him a year's leave to come to the Greenbrier Valley.  The   Tordais   lived   in   the   Alderson   Manse   and   he   preached   3   Sundays   each   month   at   Alderson   and   one Sunday   at   Old   Stone.      Shortly   after   arriving,   Zsofi   discovered   she   was   pregnant   and   Magor   was   born   a few months later--a little American with a slew of would-be grandparents. The   Tordais   were   visible   throughout   the   area   and   participated   in   many   activities.      They   made   a   lot   of friends   outside   the   Presbyterian   Church   congregations.      Margaret   Hambrick   said,   “Since   this   is   their   first trip   back   as   a   family,   we   are   creating   an   opportunity   for   all   those   in   Alderson   and   the   surrounding   area who remember them--or just want to meet them--to say hello and share a meal.” Alderson   Presbyterian   will   be   holding   a   pot-luck   lunch   at   the   church   on   Saturday, August   17   from   11-1   in their   honor.      Everyone   is   invited   to   come   and   bring   a   dish   or   two   to   share.      Meat,   drink   and   paper products   will   be   supplied.   Please   let   Margaret   Hambrick   (304-646-2439)   know   if   you   are   coming   by Monday, August 12. Hambrick   said,   “The   Tordais   are   looking   forward   to   renewing   old   acquaintances   and   making   new   friends.     Those who come will enjoy seeing how the boys have grown and that Zsofi is still as beautiful as ever!" PHOTO CAPTION:  Arpad, Zsofi, Akos, and Magor Tordai in their church in Romania in October, 2017.